LARKANA, April 4: Pakistan People's Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has criticized what she called the government's flawed policies. In a recorded speech on the 25th death anniversary of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto , she said terrorist activities increased and Al Qaeda elements entered the country after her government had been toppled.

She criticized the operation in Wana and regretting that 60 soldiers had died in the operation demanded an inquiry into the matter. "How could we lay hands on terrorists when the operation announcement came three months in advance", she asked.

Ms Bhutto accused the government of mishandling the nuclear issue. She also criticized the government's 'weak Kashmir policy'. Describing claims about foreign reserves as an eyewash, she said the government had purchased dollars from international markets by printing new currency notes.

Talking about the death sentence given to Mr Bhutto, the PPP chairperson called for constituting a judicial commission to unveil the truth about what she described as the murder of a hero and demanded registration of an FIR.

Accusing the government of arresting PPP activists and forcing them to change their loyalty, she demanded release of all political prisoners. She said political leaders and activists living in exile should be allowed to return to the country.

She said she would soon return to the country to strengthen the struggle for restoration of democracy. Ms Bhutto paid tribute to party MPA Abdullah Murad Baloch who was murdered in Karachi and Dhani Bakhsh, saying they had followed the Bhutto tradition and sacrificed their lives.

Lauding the wisdom and political acumen of the late Bhutto, she said he had gathered the Islamic countries on a single platform and given Pakistan its nuclear programme.

The ceremony marking the death anniversary of the PPP founder was held despite the fact that a duststorm had blown up tents for party activists who had come from remote areas and caused a power failure. The participants remained at the place till Sunday dawn and listened to the speech of Ms Bhutto.

A two-minute silence was observed at 2:12am to mark the time when Mr Bhutto had been hanged. Hundreds of Bhutto's followers and admirers who had gathered in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh placed floral wreaths on grave of their leader.

Those who paid tribute to Mr Bhutto included Yauf Raza Gailani, Jahangir Badar, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Rasool Baksh Palijo, Mir Hasil Khan Bizinjo, Barrister Sultan Mehmood and Sahibzada Ishaque Zaffar.